This may come as a surprise, but my heroes weren’t musicians growing up. Paul Hester was the exception to the rule (isn’t he always?) but most of my heroes when I was in primary school were sports people, the first of which was Ange Christou. This is where it gets a bit confusing.
I’m a St Kilda supporter (for those of you that follow AFL will know exactly what that means, for those that don’t, the words “always the bridesmaid” seem to come to mind. The last time St Kilda won the premiership, my mum was 6. We once lost three grand finals in a year – two in 8 days. That hurt) Ange played for Carlton. They don’t hate each other but they’re kind of opposites in every way. Carlton have a long, proud history is success and St Kilda? Well, see above. So, how come my very first sporting hero belonged to another team? A few reasons.
Firstly, as a footballer, he was just that good. He played a game on Sunday and kicked the ball half way across the field. Every time he got the ball you knew it would go exactly where it needed to. Ange didn’t make mistakes. I’m pretty sure he still doesn’t.
Also, he was always a gentleman. Still is. On Sunday he was taking photos with people and signing autographs between play. We were all standing in the rain together. You’d never hear about Ange being an idiot in the press. There was no news of him saying impolite things to women in bars (Wayne Carey I’m looking at you) and although he’d get involved in things like The Footy Show. He never seemed to forget what his first job was.
I first came across Ange at a football clinic when I was 8. This was before the days of mobile phones and slutty 16 year old girl scandals. From then on, I was in. The next year my slight interest in football had turned to something bordering on obsession. Carlton had won the Grand Final, Ange was a champion. Life was good.
I went to the football nearly every week, knew all the players names, played as often as I could and put every bit of my childhood energy to good use, chasing a bit of leather around a football field. Sport taught me determination and discipline and have me more than a few injuries.
After a few years of playing I have a back no one can touch without me wanting to rip their arms off and knees that are two different shapes. Was it worth it? Yep.
These days I apply that same discipline to my playing, to the time I spend in the gym and to other aspects of life. Of course, the great game has changed since I was running around. Now I’d prefer to see something like the Legends match I watched on Sunday. Ange was also the first person I knew who was a fan of U2. Is it any wonder I thought he was great?
help me, calliope 